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How to Achieve Work, Life and Balance when you’re a CEO

  • Written by: Anna Barr



At only 31, Merlin Kauffman has had an impressive past, his story reminding us of the classic rags to riches model. Growing up in the American mid-west town of Indianapolis, with an entrepreneurial father and holistic, healing mother have certainly had an impact, imprinting Merlin with his two main drivers in life: to create a safe place of financial security and to respect his health with the attention it deserves.

 

Having been in business since the age of 11 Merlin never “had time for school” finding his teachers uninspiring and limited. He formed his first company at 17 that evolved into what is now a successful domain investment company, commanding 7 figure annual profits.

 

Then came Soothe in 2013, created out of the frustration of not being able to book a last minute massage, when you need it most. Equipped with an OPM from Harvard Business School, and always quick to embrace new technology, Merlin saw the opportunity within the “on- demand” economy and has managed, in his terms to “democratise massage”. This means making massage more accessible to more users - customers can book a massage at a time that works for them, while the therapists can enjoy a new sense of independence, creating their own schedule.

 

Travelling extensively came with the territory, as Soothe rapidly expanded, now into 53 cities around the globe. This can have a marked effect on the body, physically, mentally and emotionally. I asked Merlin to explain how he balances his health, while building his business, managing his staff and prioritising his time.

 

Follow Merlin’s Top Tips for a Healthy Work-Life-Balance

 

  1. The key to a great company is in the team. Delegate as much as possible, and develop trust in your team. It’s important to know when micro-management becomes counter-productive.

  2. Manage your day putting yourself at the top of the priority list. Merlin runs a few kilometres everyday and stays off his laptop when he can. Massage is his mediation so he gets one, weekly. Merlin believes that if you stay healthy and self-nurtured, the rest will follow. It becomes contagious!

  3. Merlin advises us to maintain a healthy perspective of self. “Don’t have an over-inflated sense of self importance around your involvement in a business” he says. Allow and trust those around you to shine.

  4. Time is worth more than money for our generation; reward them with it.

  5. There are no politics in the Soothe offices. Every person who goes for an interview meets a top manager. They practice a ‘flat management’ structure, and dogs are encouraged to come to work. Merlin’s beloved pooch is always there to welcome them!

  6. Purpose is everything, and a major motivator. Merlin receives thank you messages from Soothe therapists around the world regularly, who have managed to change their lives as a result of the new on-demand app and the freedom it has given them.

 

Building Business Bridges - 6 Ways to Boost Employee Retention in your Company

  • Written by: News Feature Team



Employee satisfaction is something that is absolutely vital to any successful company.


After all, your workers are the fuel that drives your company, so having happy and satisfied employees is a surefire way to boost your business to the heights that you want it to reach. So, how do you go about actually keeping your employees happy or boosting your employee retention?

 

In this article, we will share 6 simple ways in which you can do so. Keep on reading to find out more!


1. A Simple Gift Goes A Long Way 

You may think that a tiny gift would not be enough to boost employee retention, but you are wrong. Even the simplest of gestures that you show to your employees can reap great results. Giving your workers corporate gifts once in a while, or treating them to a team lunch once a month is a fantastic way of showing your appreciation for them and their work. When employees feel like their hard work is appreciated, they’ll feel fulfillment as well as a sense of job satisfaction. These are the key ingredients in building a long term employee.

 

2. Offer Training

 

Sometimes, employees may feel left in the dark or incompetent if there are new technologies or systems in place that they do not understand. Making an employee feel redundant is a sure way to walk them out the door, so always ensure that all your workers are offered sufficient training to upgrade their skills once in awhile. Not only will this build an air of confidence in your staff, but the skills that they learn will help build your business up as well.

 

3. Pay Your Employees Well

 

If employees feel like they are not paid enough for the amount of work they are doing or are responsible for, then they are more than likely to leave and join your competitors. This is something you definitely want to avoid, so always ensure that employees are paid well.

 

Recognise effort, skill and talent and give people raises when they have done a consistently good job. It is better to pay an employee more than to replace them - it can cost as much as 30-50 percent of an entry-level employee's annual salary just to replace him or her.

 

4. Allow Employees To Have Fun

 

Employees that are allowed to have fun whilst working, or in their work environment, end up being a lot more passionate, productive and enthusiastic about their jobs. When people feel engaged in their work, and not like a robot or just another cog in the wheel, they feel an overall sense of fulfilment, and will most definitely avoid joining your competitors any time soon.

 

5. Remember The Little Things

 

You have no idea how special you can make someone feel if you remember their birthday, get them a tiny cake or sing a team birthday song for them on their special day. Often in large companies, people do not think or feel like they matter enough, so showing them that they are indeed an appreciated member of staff can go a long way. Even if it is just a Christmas card or a box of chocolates on their work-anniversary day, a little goes a long way.

 

Recognising your employees can truly contribute to boosting the success of your business in the long-term. Find out how you can grow your company with your employees through recognition today!

 

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